Time controlled switch



Aug. 30, 1932. E CQNDQN 1,874,028

TIME CCNTROLLED SWITCH Filed May 15, 1931 (5 Sheets-Sheet 1 IINVENTQR E0 wA/w 7." (a/v00 ATTORNEY Aug. 30, 1932. E. T. CONDON TIME CONTROLLEDSWITCH Filed May 15, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR EDWARD fCan/po/vvATTORNEY BY I Aug. 30, 1932. E. T. CONDON TIME CONTROLLED SWITCH FiledMay 13, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR [on M0 fCo/vao/v BY I 92 ATTORNEYPatented Aug. 30, 1932 EDWARD '1. .CONIDON,

PATENT OFFICE OF NEW YORK, 'N. Y.

TIME CONTROLLED SWITCH Application filed May 13,

The invention relates to an attachment for clocks, either of the springor electrically driven type. It has for an object to provide means whichmay readily associated with standard clock mechanisms and whereby,

- through the alarm train thereof, an'electriif desired, after effectingthe cal circuit may be either opened or closed by a single switchassociated with said train,

the arrangement being such'that either the i on or off position may beselected by conveniently shifting the external connections as throughthe insertion of a pair of prongs of a suitable plug into one or theother pair of terminals ofa duplex socket. A further object of'theinvention resides in the provision of means wherebythe' operation of'thealarm may be automatically discontinued,

switching operation.

:In carrying out the invention, more par-. ticularly. in connectionwith. the spring-operated'type of alarm clock,'there1is .arrangedito'besecured to the back-of the clock cas- .and driven: from the ingvan electric switch: member in permanent engagement with'one arm of alever Whose opposite arm is designed for engagement with a rotatingelement,:as the alarm wind, 'alarm'train when the latter is released. Afurther arm isarranged to be movably'mounted with. respect to the saidlever for 'adjustmentto aposition to interfere with'the free rotation ofsaid r0 tating element and arrest. the further operation of the alarmtrain after the lever has been swung to a positionfor operating'theswitch.

'In the electrically operated type of clock, the switch-throwingmechanism may be located betweenthe clock mechanismretaining plates forassociation with the alarm train ofsaid mechanism.

In both embodiments, external electrical connection is had through meanswhich will admit of selecting either anormally closed circuit or anormally open circuit for control by the switch, respectively to openthereby the former circuit and'to close the latter. Thus, a readilyaccessible duplex socket may in thefdifi'erent positions a 1931. ,SerialN0. 536,992.

suitable plug member for introducing the circuit to be opened or closedby the switching mechanism.

The nature of the invention, however, will best be understood whendescribed in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: i

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the novel mechanism as attached to therear of a springoperated alarm clock. 00

Figs. 2 and 3 are fragmentary elevations of the attachment, the formerillustrating the switch mechanism in the thrown or active position ofits switch, and the latter figure illustrating the position of thealarmo5 checking member for arresting rotation of the alarm mechanismafter the switch has been thrown thereby.

F 1g. 4 is a vertical section taken on the line Fig. 3 of the drawings,and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary front elevation of the duplex socket portion andassociated switch, wit-h enclosing casing removed; and Fig. 6 is afragmentary rear elevation thereof.

Figs. 7 and 8 are electrical diagrams illustrating the circuitarrangements for eflecting control by the switch for interrupting acircuit (Fig. 7 and for closing a circuit (Fig. 8).

Fig. 9 is a rear elevation of an electrically operated clock, with upperportion of casing broken away.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary vertical section through the clock.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary plan of the clock with casing removed,

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary vertical section taken on the line 1212, Fig.10, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to the drawings, more particularly Figs. 1-4, 20 designatesthe back of a clock casing having the usual timewind element 21. andalarm wind element 22. To the said back is securely fixed an attachment95 plate 23 carrying the novel circuit controlling special type, such asthe usual snap-action or toggle switch having the projecting operatinghandle 25 which protrudes above the top of the cover 24. The knob ofthis handle is engaged by the perforated and bent-over end 26 ot the onearm 27 of a lever pivoted to I the plate 23. The opposite arm 23 of saidlever is in juxtaposed relationship to the wind element 22, beingadapted to en age with the pair of downwardly-turned ends 29 extendingfrom opposite sides of V the alarm wind element and secured theretotorotate with the same when the alarm is released.

ihis release of the alarm is'efiected in the usual and well-known mannerat the predetermined time set, causing the said alarm ,windelement torotate; In this rotation-the downwardly-turned ends 29 will eventuallyYopposite arm 27 to accordingly throw switch.

handle and thereby either interrupt or complete a circuit.

engage with the lever arm 28 and move the Electrical power is introducedinto the cas ing 24 through apair of conductors 30 and 31 ggand, is.arranged for external supply as through connection to a duplex-socketembodying the oppositely. disposed pairs of socket'elements 32 and 33,which are designed to'receive a suitable double-prong 7 plug member (notshown) inthe usual man- 1 pair. 32 is designed in relation to the switch.;operation for interrupting the external cir-Y cuitand the other pair33 for completing said ner. Theone pair of socket elements as thecircuit. I

1 ber 35' common to one terminal of both of the i pairs 4 -'elements areconnected by the leads 38' and Reference being had more particularly toFigs. and 8 of the drawings, the conductor 31 isshown as connected to aterminal memsocket elements, while 39 respectively to the switch points40 and 41. The lead30 of the power circuit is con i-nected to twofurther switch points 42 and f other.

43 which are electrically connected to each ith the: switch arm 44indicated in the position shown in Fig. 7 and a plug engaging the socketelements 32 asrepre sented' by the dotted lines it will be observer 7that an external circuit is closed by the switch. *When the alarm of theclock is then actuated, setting in motion the wind element 22, lever arm27- will be moved to throw switch 25 to break the contact ati switchpoint41 and thus open the circuit.

v In the diagram illustrated in Fig. 8 the reverse is true, a plughaving been inserted into the socket elements "33, as indicated in thedotted lines, it will be observed that an external circuit is open untilthe switch is again thrown from point 41 to switch point 40.

A, ihus, by merely locating a plug in the proper terminals the circuitintroduced thereby may either be opened or closed when the switch the"other terminals 36 and 37 of these socket therefore to arrest therotationof the alarm wind as soon as it has completedthe requiredangular movement of arm 27. To this end, an

additional arm; 27' may be pivotally carried on the lever normally inthe position indicated in Fig-2, but adapted to be adjustable thereontoa position with its upturned end 27 lying in thepath of rotation'ofthe wind element 22 and thus arrest further rotation thereof, asindicated in Fig. 3. To hold the 7 arm 27 in this adjusted position africtional contact may be established between the same and arm28 throughcooperation of a- PI'OJGC- tion' 28 of the latter and recess 28 of theformers I In the electrical embodiment, illustrated more particularly inFigs. 9-12, a similar arrangement for shifting'the external circuitconnections is; utilized, the duplexsocket 45 being secured to. the back46 of a clock casing, while the switch 47 inthisinstance is 'supportedby a bracket member 48 secured to and between the framerplates 49 and 50of the clock. Current for operating the usual motor of the clock isintroduced through the- 7 cable 51, and a suitable plug (not shown) isdesigned to fit one or the other of the pairs of socket elements '52.and 53 similarly to the embodiment previously described; Power for thecircuit to be controlled may be taken from the cable 51 by a parallelconnection thereto or may be independently introduced. theconnections-to the switch mechanism 47 from the elements 52 and 53 beingsimilarto 6 that illustratedin Figs. 7-and8.

The arrangement for throwing the switch 47, however, is modified to theextent that its actuating movement is obtained from a, wheel of thealarm train and under control of the.

'escapement wheel 55'thereof. The switch handle 56, also, has rigidlyconnected therewith a horizontally disposed bar 57 having trunnions58'rotatably mounted in bearings 59 and 59, the former being struck" upfrom theplate 48 land thelatter consisting of a plate attached to theside of the bracket. A finger or pawl member 60 extends downwardly fromthe bar 57 for engagement with the teeth of the escapement wheel 55 sothat said wheel may not rotate uponfrelease of the alarm train intheusual manner until the swltch 47 has been set or returned by the nut.or "finger piece 4 to the normal prerelease position in which the pawl60 clears the teeth of theratchet wheel and will allow the switchrem-02s to be rocked about the trunnions 58 and be subsequently thrown.I

This engagement of the pawl with the ratchet teeth of the escapementwheel 55, would not normally permit the manual re turn or setting ofswitch arm 56 after the alarm train has effected the throw of the saidswitch. To this end, provision is made for temporarily disengaging thealarm releasing mechanism embodying the finger 61 normally engaging thearm 62 of the escapement wheel pallet 63 to block the escapement wheelin the usual manner. The finger 61 is carried to this end, for example,by a spring element 64 which normally holds the finger in engagementwith the arm 62 and is similar to the usual part found in alarm clockstripped by the alarm cam. The said spring element, however, may bemoved, to effect disengagement of said finger and arm, as by means of apin 65 which extends through the back of the clock casing and is adaptedfor limited axial movement, its outward movement being limited by ashoulder 66 thereon abutting the easing wall and its inward movement bycontact with the frame plate 49, said pin being normally held inengagement with the former under the influence of said spring 64.

By pressing inwardly on the protruding portion of pin 65, the saidfinger 61 may be pressed backwardly sufficiently to release the palletand thus permit escapement wheel 55 to rotate and allow thereby switch56 to be shifted and set to its starting position.

When the switch has thus been set and the pawl or finger 61 disengagedfrom the escapement wheel, the alarm train will be free to operate whenreleased by the clock mechanism in the usual and well known manner; andprovision is made for returning the switch to its original positionthrough the movement of the said alarm train. For example, a pin 67projecting at right angles from the surface of a gear wheel 67 of'saidtrain is arranged to engage a finger 68, extending from the switch arm56, as said pin is rotated and to throw over the switch beyond itscritical point.

The circuit control is effected in the usual manner by its own springaction as is customary in the operation of toggle type of switches. Atthe same time, the pawl 60 again engages the escapement wheel to arrestfurther operation of the alarm train andv pin 66 has proceeded farenough during the interim of the switch spring shift of the lever to beclear of finger 68 until the alarm train is again to be actuated.

I claim:

1. The combination with the alarm train of a clock; of a duplex socketcomprising a pair of off terminal elements and a pair of on terminalelements for receiving a suit able plug member, an electric switchconnected therewith and inovable to interrupt the circuit through'theoff terminals and close the same through the on terminals, and meansoperatively associated with the alarm train for moving said switch.

2. The combination with the'alarm train of a clock; of an electricswitch, connections thereto fol-alternatively introducing a circuit inclosed or open relationship therewith, means operatively associated withthe alarm train for moving said switch to respectively interrupt theintroduced circuit and to close the same, and means movable with theswitch and adjustable thereon to a position for arresting operation ofthe alarm train after the switch has been moved.

3. The combination with the alarm train of a clock; of an electricswitch, connections thereto for an electric circuit, means operativelyassociated with the alarm train for moving said switch to control theelectric circuit, and means controlled by the switch and operativelyassociated with the escapement wheel of the alarm train for locking thesame when the switch has been moved by said train.

4. The combination with the alarm train of a clock; of an electricswitch, connections thereto for an electric circuit, means operativelyassociated with the alarm train for moving said switch to control theelectric circuit. means controlled by the switch and operativelyassociated with the escapement wheel of the alarm train for locking thesaid train when the switch has been moved thereby, and means to unlocktemporarily the escapement wheel to permit the switch to be set.

5. The combination with the alarm train of a clock; of an electricswitch, connections thereto for alternativelyintroducing a circuit inclosed or open relationship therewith, means operatively associated withthe alarm train for moving said switch to respectively interrupt theintroduced circuit and to close the same, and means controlled by theswitch and operatively associated with the escapement wheel of the alarmtrain for locking the same when the switch has been moved by said train.

6. The combination with the alarm train of a clock; of an electricswitch, connections thereto for alternatively introducing a circuitinclosed or open relationship therewith. means operatively associated withthe alarm train for moving said switch to respectively interrupt theintroduced circuit and to close the same, and a pawl movable with theswitch and adapted to engage the teeth of the escapement wheel of thealarm train when the switch is in the thrown position.

7. The combination with the alarm train of a clock; of an electric,snap-action toggle switch, connections thereto for an electric circuit,means operatively associated with the I alarm trainfor moving saidswitch to control 'g' the electric circuit, and apawl movable with theswitch and adapted to engage the teeth of V th escapement wheel of thealarm train when I the swltch is in the thrown position and lock thesameunder the action of the said switch, 7 In testimony whereof I affix mysignature.

eel

. EDWARD T. GONDQN.

